Where a
beautiful smileis always in style.

IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST OF OUR VALUED PATIENTS, you may still feel a little unsure of exactly what dental implants are—and why they can be such a wonderful solution for your own tooth loss circumstance. Don’t be embarrassed about that! Dr. Rief understands. Talking about dental implants isn’t exactly common social conversation! Let us help.

Simply stated, dental implants start with small, sturdy titanium posts which function as a “root structure” for a crown, bridge, or denture. Under anesthetic, these small posts are surgically placed in either your upper or lower jaw. After several weeks of healing, these small implants fuse with your bone to produce a strong anchor—supported by your surrounding gum tissue. During the healing time, you’ll wear a temporary crown above the implant. Then, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture can be securely attached to the small metal post which creates a natural-looking, long-lasting, hassle-free solution—AND a beautiful, confident smile!

Here is a short list of benefits:

Enjoy Eating Again! — Dental implants can provide biting force similar to natural teeth because the implant is anchored in the bone.

Save Healthy Neighboring Teeth! — In most cases, adjacent teeth are not altered or harmed in any way.

Very High Success Rate! — Dental implants are one of the most successful options available for replacing missing teeth. With proper hygiene, clinical research suggests that the success rate is around 95%.

Let Dr. Rief help determine that you’re a good candidate for dental implants. She is extremely qualified and experienced in dental implant procedures.

Thank you for the trust you place in our practice. Make an appointment to visit with us! We look forward to helping your achieve a beautiful, functional, confident smile.

And as a reminder… Be sure to take a moment to join us on Facebook by clicking on the logo below. It’s a great place to better understand our practice—and, it gives us a chance to get to know you better too.

AT CROSSROADS DENTAL ARTS, WE CARE ABOUT EVERY aspect of your oral health. Unfortunately, no matter how careful all of us are, or how much we try, sometimes life hands us emergencies. It’s a fact. So we just wanted to touch on dental emergencies for a minute…

Although it may seem like a minor thing to you, a dental injury to your teeth or gums should not be ignored as it can be potentially serious—with risks of more permanent damage, OR more extensive (and expensive) repair down the road.

Here are some thoughts from Dr. Rief and her team:

Toothache?

Rinse with warm water and be sure nothing is lodged. Apply an ice pack if needed to reduce the swelling, and call us as soon as possible. We probably need to take a look.

Lose A Filling?

Believe it or not, as a temporary measure until you can get in here to see us, you can stick a piece of sugarless chewing gum into the hole. Then, call us!

Lost A Crown?

Come in as soon as possible and be sure to bring the crown. In the meantime, slip the crown back in if you can, or use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area.

Chipped & Broken Tooth?

Although it may sound sorta gross, save the pieces of the tooth if you can. Apply gauze pressure if you’re bleeding. See us as soon as you can.

A Tooth Knocked Out?

“Time is of the essence” in trying to save a tooth. (watch the video below)

A Dislodged Tooth?

Apply a cold compress to help if there’s pain. Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. Call us, and get in here to see us right away.

Something Caught Between Your Teeth?

Gently try dental floss first, and never use a sharp object. If you can’t dislodge it, call us right away.

Broken Brace Wire?

If the wire sticks out and is poking you (ouch), try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a comfortable position. If you can’t do that, cover it with orthodontic wax or a piece of gauze until you can see us or your orthodontist. Don’t try to cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or (worse) breathing it in.
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Hey, be careful out there!And wear a mouthguard to help prevent an injury! We want to help you keep ALL of your teeth—FOR LIFE!

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, to become a fan of our FACEBOOK page by clicking the “Like” button! We look forward to your next visit to our office (but hopefully NOT an emergency!).

Answer: The Principle of Divine Proportion

THOUGH IT MAY SEEM ODD, HIGHLY SKILLED COSMETIC DENTISTS LIKE DR. RIEF often use Leonardo da Vinci’s “Principle of Divine Proportion” when designing gorgeous new smiles!

When designing something as important as a smile, many factors have to be taken into account besides the natural truisms of our teeth, including the patient’s lifestyle, age, and physical characteristics.

Much like a fine oil painter working on a canvas, Dr. Rief turns her artistic inspiration and experience and into unforgettable smiles. Sometimes, veneers are considered to widen your teeth and broaden your smile, while others require procedural and design techniques that include tooth lengthening or shortening. Crowns can bring subtle, yet totally different dimensions to a patient’s facial proportions. You won’t believe the huge difference even the smallest adjustments can make. It’s a fusion of art and science.

Just for kicks, take a few minutes, look into a mirror and ask yourself the following questions:

> Can I draw a line vertically from my pupil to a corner of my mouth?
> Does the lower third of my face divide into thirds (from nose to chin)?> Does my face divide into thirds horizontally?> Does my face divide into fifths vertically (5 times the width of one eye)?

You’ll be surprised to see mother nature’s “divine” and intricate connections to artistic principles.

Dr. Rief adds,“Cosmetic dental procedures to improve your smile are absolutely worth the investment. There are few things more fulfilling for me, and our team, than witnessing the life-changing transformations that smile makeovers can create.”

Have you ever wondered how your life would change with a truly beautiful smile? What would a new smile do to your self-confidence? How would that increased self confidence affect your relationships or career? Come in and visit with us! You’ll wonder why you ever waited so long.

Also, be sure to connect with us on Facebook to keep up with everything going on in our practice that affects you and your family’s oral health. Simply click on the logo below.Thanks!

PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE ON YOUR on your teeth and gums is important for several reasons. First, devoting small amounts of attention to your teeth and gums will help you keep your smile glowing for the rest of your life. We want you to be proud of what the world sees when they look at you, but it’s also about your health and the way you feel.

Daily care of your teeth, with proper brushing and flossing techniques dramatically reduce your risk of gum disease. However, we understand that certain things can’t be helped, such as accidentally losing a filling when you bite into an apple. At times like these, Dr. Rief will be right there to help!

We know we’ve said it a million times—Be sure to schedule you’re regular dental checkups! However, there’s a lot more to it than just a free toothbrush. Studies have been continuing to link your oral health to your overall health, making a visit to Dr. Rief just as important as a visit to your family physician.

It’s well-known that diseases like gingivitis and oral cancer manifest themselves in your mouth, but there are actually a ton of other diseases that can be detected through your mouth as well! Visiting Dr. Rief regularly can help us catch these before they get out of hand! You may not even realize something’s wrong.

Here at Crossroads Dental Arts, we stare into mouths every day, so we’ll know if something is amiss. Be sure to keep those regularly scheduled visits so we can check in on you! We want to help keep you healthy.

Whoopie’s right. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can kill you. In case you missed her appearance on The View, you can see Whoopie talk about her experience with gum disease and tooth loss below:

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook by clicking on the logo before! We look forward to connecting with you there!

DO YOU EXPERIENCE PAIN IN YOUR FACE OR JAW? If so, is it occasional or constant? Don’t let yourself suffer—we can help! Dr. Rief and her team use principles of “neuromuscular dentistry” to improve your oral health and physical condition. In traditional dentistry, doctors are primarily concerned with your teeth, bones and joints. Neuromuscular dentistry, on the other hand, involves focused consideration of the muscles and nerves in and around your jaw attempts to correctly position your jaw to improve your overall oral health.

Because this approach is more inclusive, it can help resolve painful conditions such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction) or TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). This solution alsoprovides longer lasting solutions and increased comfort in regards to other dental needs such as smile makeovers and dentures.

Your teeth, muscles, nerves, and joints all combine forces to ensure that your jaw is properly functioned and aligned.TMJ and other serious dental problems can develop when any part of this delicate equation isn’t doing its job correctly.

The hard and soft tissues in our jaw have a complex relationship, and Dr. Rief works to make sure that relationship is in complete harmony. When your jaw is misaligned it can lead to many physiological problems including:

Jaw pain

Limited jaw movement

Headaches/migraines

Facial pain

Sensitive and sore teeth

Back, neck and shoulder pain

Clicking or popping in the jaw joints

Worn or cracked teeth

etc . . .

TMJ is affecting millions of people everyday. Through neuromuscular dentistry, modern technologies and strategies are utilized to precisely determine the proper positioning of the jaw and place it in an optimal position, ultimately relieving the symptoms associated with TMJ.

If you think you have TMJ, make an appointment to talk about the benefits of neuromuscular dentistry with Dr. Rief. Let us help get rid of that unnecessary pain!

As always, thank you for being a valued patient and friend. We don’t forget who keeps us in business.

If you haven’t yet, connect with us on Facebook to keep up with everything going on at Crossroads Dental Arts! Thanks.

FOR A SHORT TIME LAST FEBRUARY, there was snow on the ground in all fifty states—possibly the first time that has happened in the U.S. since weather statistics have been recorded!

So even though people in the Northeast were trapped inside for days and weeks, everyone in the country was affected somewhat by this unusual weather. So why bring it up now? Dr. Rief explains…

It seems that the snowy winter of 2010 has caused birth rates to rise this fall.

Why? Hmmm… Let’s see if you can figure that out! And with all the excitement in the air, we have been getting this question asked a little more than usual, “Is it safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy?”

A recent study in The Journal of the American Dental Association has shown that routine dental treatment, including the use of dental anesthetics, is totally safe during pregnancy. So don’t put off having your dental visits and cleanings taken care of due to the fact that you’re brushing for two. Make your appointment now.

But here’s something really amazing.

Another recent study, reported in The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, reports that women who are free from gum disease have a much lower chance of having premature and low birth weight babies.

The irony of this is that the hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy actually can heighten the chances of gum disease. So not only is it safe to maintain an excellent regimen of brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist and dental hygienist when you’re expecting, it can actually contribute to the health of your baby!

At Crossroads Dental Arts, our goal is to keep every single one of our patients in excellent dental health, including having beautiful gums which are free from bleeding and inflammation. If you have any questions or are overdue for your routine dental appointment, please call (410) 363-2121 right away so that we can get you taken care of as soon as possible!

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IF YOU’RE LIKE OUR OTHER PATIENTS HERE AT CROSSROADS DENTAL ARTS,you likely want to take the very best care of your heart, right? Of course you do! Did you know that your lowly toothbrush could rank right up there with your gym membership in keeping your heart healthy? It’s true! According to Dr. Rief, “There are a number of recent studies that suggest gum disease—and perhaps other oral health issues—may be DIRECTLY related to problems with your heart.”

A recent AAP (American Academy of Periodontology) study reported that people who have periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to also have heart disease. Another study found that common oral health problems, including cavities, missing teeth, gingivitis, etc. may beas good at predicting heart disease as are bad cholesterol levels!Now that’s surprising!

There is certainly a LOT MORE research to be done about these connections, but the evidence seems to be mounting all the time. Dr. Riefadds, “We know bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream through your gums. These same bacteria have been found clumped in artery plaques. A theory that’s gaining more acceptance is that they stick to the fatty plaques in your bloodstream, which may directly contribute to blockages.”

There are other theories that revolve around your body’s defenses against bacteria, including the natural response of inflammation. Oral bacteria traveling through your bloodstream can cause blood cells to swell, which can lead to artery narrowing and clot risks.

These EXACT relationships between cardiovascular and periodontal disease are still unclear, but research continues to conclude that there’s definitely a connection. Now DON’T ignore all of the other things you can do to keep your heart healthy, while just focusing on brushing! Keep eating healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take care of risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

And, when it’s SO EASY to clear up any periodontal disease problems WITH DR. RIEF AND HER ENTIRE TEAM’S HELP… Be sure to do that too! It makes good common sense! And don’t forget that PREVENTION goes a long way in preventing problems in the future.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask. We love visiting with you—our friends and patients.

Don’t forget to become a fan of our Facebook page by clicking on the logo below!

WHAT IF, ONE DAY, YOU DISCOVERED A GENIE IN A BOTTLE,willing to grant you three wishes. Would one of your valuable wishes be for metal braces?Absurd! Nobody wants braces—we just suffer through them to have beautiful, straight teeth! A real wish that you may consider would be for magically straight teeth.

What if Dr. Rieftold you about a way to straighten your teeth without braces? No magic genie? Let’s go with the next best thing—Invisalign.

Invisalign is the “magic way” to straighten your teeth without bulky metal braces.

We use a series of clear trays that Dr. Rief custom designs for your unique mouth. The best thing about this process is that you can take them out for meals, to brush and floss, and for those special occasions. The added bonus is that when you AREwearing them they’re nearly invisible.

With Invisalign, the process is simple and efficient. If you want to know more about this procedure, or even if you just have questions about Invisalign, feel free to contact us and set up a time to come in and visit with Dr. Rief or a member of her team. And don’t forget to LIKE of our Facebook microsite! It’s a great way to stay in touch with us—or, send us a message on Twitter—whatever works best for you.

FROM COMMON THINGS LIKE WEAR AND TEAR, TO TRAUMA OR DISEASE,, there are lots of adults who have experienced permanent tooth loss.Are you one of them?Regardless of the level of loss, discomfort and/or a lack of confidence are so often the most common results. Of course, permanent tooth loss is something Dr. Rief and her team are always do their very best to PREVENT. However, sometimes it just isn’t possible. The good news is that today there are beautiful and highly functional solutions.

Implant dentistry is not new, although from its origins in the 50’s it’s come a long way. Initial discoveries came when scientists learned how bones can fuse with titanium, making natural bone support possible. Today, Dr. Joanne Block Rief uses this original discovery to copy the root and tooth system that your mouth naturally has.

Implants are first placed within the gum line—then, they’re usually given 3–6 months healing time to ensure complete and proper fusion to your jawbone structure. After the implants heal, the custom crown, bridge, or dentures can be placed. This type of placement solution (unlike traditional dentures or bridges) is much stronger and longer lasting, giving you the confident smile you desire.

As with most dental procedures, dental implants begin with a consultation with Dr. Rief to help with any questions and allow her the chance to create a custom-tailored plan that best meets your needs.

Here is a simple illustration of how dental implants work:

To learn more about how implant dentistry corrects and enhances smiles, schedule an appointment to visit with us.

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Contact Us

Our team is very responsive. If we do not return your email immediately, please know that we may have not received it. For important matters, please call our office. E-mail is never a fully secure form of communication. If you prefer to share protected personal information, you may choose to contact us by phone.